Odisha: The by-election for the Brajarajnagar assembly constituency in Odisha's Jharsuguda district began at 7 am on Tuesday amid tight security. Voters were observed swarming voting booths and waiting in huge lines to exercise their right to vote.

The bypoll is expected to draw a total of 2.14 lakh voters, according to State Election Commission sources. The Election Commission has approved 279 polling stations for the bypoll, 22 of which are new, and 60 of which have been designated as sensitive. A total of 1,228 polling officers have been assigned to ensure a free and fair election process.

To maintain law and order during the vote, elaborate security precautions have been made. A total of 1,000 security officers and three Central Armed Police Forces units have been deployed to ensure that the by-election runs well.  In 50% of the booths, webcasting will be available. In five pink polling booths, only female polling officers are on duty.

The high-stakes race features 11 candidates, including BJD's Alaka Mohanty, BJP's Radharani Panda, and Congress' Kishore Chandra Patel. On June 3, the votes will be counted, and the results will be released that same day.

Following the sudden death of sitting MLA Kishore Kumar Mohanty, a bypoll was necessitated.

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